Sharm el-Sheikh is an Egyptian resort town between the desert of the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea. It’s known for its sheltered sandy beaches, clear waters and coral reefs. Naama Bay, with a palm tree-lined promenade, is filled with bars and restaurants. Ras Muhammad National Park is a major diving destination, with marine life around the Shark and Yolanda reefs and the Thistlegorm wreck.

Population in Sharm El Sheikh

Bedouins as the native population of the desert. They retain their traditional rights and continue to occupy their settlements. Many Bedouins are employed in several tourist projects as guides to the desert, as rangers for the National Parks of Nabq and Ras Mohamed. They also provide services to the protectorates.

Sharm El-Sheikh is a growing city with all its assets, attracted new labors from all over Egypt as well as from the European cities. The total inhabitants of Sharm El Sheikh is approx. 35000.

The simplicity of sun, sea and sand. The luxury of five-star hotels, water sports, shopping and entertainment. This is Sharm el-Sheikh, one of the most accessible and developed tourist resort communities on the Sinai Peninsula. All around are Bedouins, colorful tents, mountains and sea. There are small, intimate hotels with modern designs, as well as larger hotel complexes belonging to International chains, plus about all the amenities one could expect of a tourist center, including casinos, discos and nightclubs, golf courses and health facilities. In fact, with diving and snorkeling, windsurfing and other water sports, horses and camel riding, desert safaris, and great nearby antiquities attractions, it is almost impossible for a visitor to ever suffer from boredom.

Four miles south the southern section of the town stands on a cliff overlooking the port. And is a great view.

Na’ama Beach is one of the center of the tourist activities. Located just north of Sharm, this area is developing into a resort town of its own. Most hotels at Na’ama Bay have their own, private beaches with comfortable amenities such as chairs, shades and even bars.

Shark’s Bay is also nearby, and again is a growing resort community with more and more to offer, along with several diving centers.

The small harbor known as Sharm el-maiya is located next to the civil harbor, has accommodations for boats, and includes a Yacht Club with rooms.

For those who love to shop, the Sharm El-Sheikh mall provides shops with both foreign and local products, including jewelry, leather goods, clothing, pottery and books.

Coral Reefs and the diving tourism

Before 1980 there were not many hotels in Sharm El Sheikh. Just small camps for the enthusiastic diver and a small fishing village. After Egypt got the Sinai Peninsula back from Israel, they started to develop for tourism. The famous coral reefs got divers, skin-divers and snorkelers from all over the world to visit. Luxury hotel chains like Ritz Carlton, Hyatt, Four Season, Hilton and Sofitel built their hotels, and today Sharm El Sheikh is a modern holiday destination. Since there are many divers in town, you will find many good diving gear shops in Naama Bay.

It has been said that this is a must visit for all diving enthusiasts. There are many diving sites along the 10 mile beach between Sharm el-Sheikh and Ras Nusrani.